NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds - Markets Growing More Confident in Jeremiyah Love

Source: Kalshi, August 11, 2026 - $476,430 Volume - Settled February, 2028

News from Jeremiyah Love’s training camp has been encouraging, with reports highlighting the rookie’s speed, explosiveness and ability to change direction. His receiving versatility has also stood out, potentially giving the Cardinals another reason to keep him involved with a major role this season.

Considering how rare it has become for running backs to be selected as high as Love was, it is clear the Cardinals have significant expectations for their new addition. Tyler Allgeier will likely begin the season with the RB1 role, but if Love can quickly prove himself, he could take over the majority of Arizona’s backfield workload before long.

One potential obstacle to Love putting up the numbers required to become this year’s top offensive rookie is Arizona’s run blocking. The Cardinals are not among the league’s worst in that area, but they also do not enter the season with one of the NFL’s elite run-blocking offensive lines. 

Despite some uncertainty, online markets appear confident that Love will emerge as one of the top offensive rookies this season. His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver, combined with the possibility of eventually taking on the majority of Arizona’s backfield workload, could give him the opportunity to produce better numbers than the rest of his draft class.

Fernando Mendoza enters the season as one of the most accomplished players from this year’s draft class. 

The Raiders selected him first overall after a strong final season at Indiana, where he completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated national championship season and winning the Heisman Trophy.

Mendoza’s strengths should translate well once he gets the opportunity to start in Las Vegas. He showed excellent accuracy and decision making in college, throwing 41 touchdowns against only six interceptions. 

The ability to create big plays without regularly putting the ball in danger is one of the more important traits for college quarterbacks transitioning to the NFL. If Mendoza can prove that skill carries over against NFL defenses, he could eventually give the Raiders a reason to move him ahead of Kirk Cousins.

One reason Mendoza may be less favoured than Jeremiyah Love entering the season is the uncertainty surrounding his immediate role. Not only does he have to compete with an experienced quarterback in Cousins, but he is also adjusting to a new Raiders offense under Klint Kubiak.

Kubiak’s system is expected to feature plenty of under-center and play-action concepts, and training camp reports suggest Mendoza is still adapting to those responsibilities. Cousins’ experience could make him the safer option early in the season while Mendoza becomes more comfortable with the offense.

Regardless of Mendoza’s talent and long term potential, playing time will likely be the biggest factor in his Offensive Rookie of the Year chances. If he is not given the starting role relatively early in the season, it will be difficult for him to gain the numbers needed to compete with rookies receiving significant playing time from Week 1.